Abstract: A delivery apparatus for selectively delivering one or more liquid reagents into a reaction or test chamber (2), especially of an assay apparatus, the apparatus comprising: one or more respective storage chambers (5,6) for containing the one or more liquid reagents and arranged generally above the reaction or test chamber (2); and a plunger element (4) arranged and operable for insertion into the mouth of a selected storage chamber so as to displace a selected reagent from therewithin into the reaction or test chamber (2) generally therebelow by gravitational liquid overflow from the mouth of the chamber. The apparatus may conveniently be provided as a discrete delivery unit, with the storage chambers (5,6) pretilled with the selected reagents.

Abstract: A manually directed, multi-channel electronic pipetting system is designed to transfer liquids from a standard multi-well plate, deep-well plate or reservoir into another multi-well plate. The preferred pipetting head includes an array of 96-tip fittings. A deck with at least one but preferably two or more wellplate nesting receptacles holds one or more multi-well plates or reagent reservoirs for access by an array of disposable pipette tips mounted to the pipetting head. The electronic motion control system includes a control handle that is mounted to a load cell, the carriage for the pipetting head and is held in the palm of the user. In use, the user grasps the control handle and operates the system in a manner similar to one using a handheld electronic pipettor.

Abstract: A manually directed, electronic multi-channel pipettor uses servo controlled motors to drive a carriage and pipetting head in response to a user's manipulation of a control handle. The pipetting head include an array of tip fittings, e.g. 96. The system includes a check processor to avoid unintended motion in case of system faults or crashes. The system requires substantial force to attach the array of tips, and therefore includes controls that require both of the user's hands be occupied during the tip attachment process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microdispenser (1) for dispensing a liquid sample in a dispensing device, with a sample container (2) for receiving the liquid sample, and with a nozzle (7) for dispensing the sample located in the sample container (2). The microdispenser (1) with the filled sample container (2) can in this case be stored independently of and fluidically separately from the dispensing device, without the sample escaping from the sample container (2) during storage.

Abstract: An enhancement control system that can be used as part of an enhanced water system to produce enhanced filtered water is described. The enhancement control system includes at least one enhancement delivery element that can dispense an enhancement(s) into filtered water in response to an enhancement delivery instruction(s). The enhancement control system can also include an input element that can enable transmittal of the enhancement delivery instruction(s) from a user to the enhancement delivery element(s). The control system can also include a memory element that can store information about the user and the user's preferences and information about the enhanced water system. The control system can also include a communication element that can provide information from the enhanced water system to the user.

Abstract: A method and kit for assaying a cell sample for the presence of at least a threshold number of cells of a given type are disclosed. The kit includes an assay device having a sample chamber for receiving the cell sample and an elongate collection chamber containing a selected-density and/or viscosity medium and having along its length, a plurality of cell-collection regions, and particles which are capable of specific attachment to cells of the selected cell type, and which are effective, when attached to the cells, to increase the density or magnetic susceptibility of the cells. In operation, particle-bound cells and particles in the cell sample are drawn through the elongate collection chamber under the influence of a gravitational or selected centrifugal or magnetic-field force until the particle-bound cells and particles completely fill successive cell-collection regions in the collection chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the temperature of a reaction mixture contained in a chamber of a reaction vessel comprises a thermal surface for contacting a flexible wall of the chamber and an automated machine for increasing the pressure in the chamber. The pressure increase in the chamber is sufficient to force the flexible wall to conform to the thermal surface for good thermal conductance. The apparatus also includes at least one thermal element for heating or cooling the surface to induce a temperature change within the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for discharging packing material from a sample column which is capable of removing the packing material such as activated carbon from the sample column for analysis having a tube shape smoothly and more certainly, and can be suitably used in the case where the packing material thus removed is supplied to an analyzer, etc.

Abstract: A pipette core member is used in a pipette for sampling a sample. This pipette core member includes: a pump body including a reservoir communicated with one suction/discharge port of an electroosmotic flow pump, the electroosmotic flow pump and the reservoir being integrally formed; and a capillary connected to the electroosmotic flow pump and communicated with the other suction/discharge port of the electroosmotic flow pump. The capillary is secured to the pump body.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus includes a probe that sucks or discharges a liquid; a pressure generating unit that generates a pressure necessary for the probe to suck or discharge the liquid; and a pressure measuring unit that measures the pressure generated by the pressure generating unit and applied to the probe. The apparatus also includes a setting unit that sets a correction coefficient used when correcting a physical amount based on characteristics of the dispensing apparatus using a result of the measuring by the pressure measuring unit; a storage unit that stores therein information including the correction coefficient set by the setting unit; and a correcting unit that corrects the physical amount using the correction coefficient stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser is disclosed where a backoff distance is determined and implemented to prevent leakage while dispensing sequentially an accurate, precise amount of fluid substantially independent of the fluid remaining in a syringe-type dispenser. The fluid characteristics of the fluid, e.g. viscosity, surface tension, etc. affect the backoff distance that may be determined heuristically for fluid type, amount of fluid remaining in the syringe and amount to be dispensed. Once the fluid characteristics are known, the dispensing may be accomplished automatically with a processor loading new drive and backoff steps to a motor controller.

Abstract: A multi-channel wellplate filling system has a peristaltic pump for pumping fluid through multiple flexible tubes. The system also includes multiple pipette tip mounting shafts arranged in a linear array and in fluid communication with a respective flexible tube of the tubing set. Disposable pipette tips are mounted on the pipette tip mounting shafts. A controller operates the peristaltic pump in reverse and forward directions respectively in order to aspirate liquid into disposable pipette tips mounted on the pipette tip mounting shafts and dispense liquid in a metered amount from the disposable pipette tips into a wellplate positioned on a wellplate platform in the system. The system can also be converted into a wellplate wash station.

Abstract: Provided are a dispensing device and an analyzer capable of improving dispensing accuracy as well as improving jamming detection accuracy by realizing a short distance between a syringe and a suction tip. The dispensing device 10 comprises an upper fixed unit 10A, a lower movable unit 10B which is connected to the upper fixed unit 10A, the movable unit being relatively movable with respect to the upper fixed unit 10A, and a Z-axis movement mechanism 55Z which moves the upper fixed unit to and fro. A syringe 4 and a plunger 13 are held by the upper fixed unit 10A. A tip nozzle 8 is attached to the lower movable unit 10B. Interior space of the syringe 4 and interior space of the tip nozzle 8 are connected with each other by a connection tube 1 having flexibility.

Abstract: A cartridge (10) for dispensing a reagent contained in a reagent reservoir (32). The reservoir (32) is in fluid communication with a deformable dispense tube (26) that is a least partially compressible, in use, to dispense a volume of reagent from the tube (26). The reservoir (32) defines an enclosed gas space (46) above the reagent, and the cartridge (10) includes a gas vent (40) that, in use, admits gas to the gas space (46) in response to dispense of reagent from the tube (26) that serves to control the reservoir pressure as the reservoir (32) is depleted by subsequent dispensing of reagent. A dispenser employing the cartridge (10) and a method of dispensing a volume of reagent are also disclosed.

Abstract: An enhancement control system that can be used as part of an enhanced water system to produce enhanced filtered water is described. The enhancement control system includes at least one enhancement delivery element that can dispense an enhancement(s) into filtered water in response to an enhancement delivery instruction(s). The enhancement control system can also include an input element that can enable transmittal of the enhancement delivery instruction(s) from a user to the enhancement delivery element(s). The control system can also include a memory element that can store information about the user and the user's preferences and information about the enhanced water system. The control system can also include a communication element that can provide information from the enhanced water system to the user.

Abstract: A metering device for utilization with a syringe, which features on a syringe cylinder a fastening portion with at least one axially directed sensing surface projecting from the upside, and at least one alignment nose projecting from the outer perimeter of the fastening portion, and a plunger with a plunger rod, the metering device having an accommodation for the fastening portion of the syringe cylinder, the accommodation having an axial opening for axially inserting the fastening portion into a fastening position, a sensing device disposed in the accommodation with at least one sensing means projecting from a basis surface of the sensing device facing the axial opening, for sensing the at least one sensing surface of a fastening portion inserted in a fastening position.

Abstract: A microfluidic dispensing system may include diaphragm pumps that may be used for aspirating in corresponding ingredients via a nozzle or a tip from supply sources. Tips may be placed in contact with ingredient supply sources, and through repeated actuation of the diaphragm pumps, desired volumes of ingredients are aspirated into the tips. In some cases, an air plug is aspirated into the tips before an ingredient. Once the desired volume of each ingredient is reached within each tip, the ingredients are dispensed from the tips through repeated actuation of corresponding diaphragm pumps.

Abstract: Methods and devices for a fully automated synthesis of radioactive compounds for imaging, such as by positron emission tomography (PET), in a fast, efficient and compact manner are disclosed. In particular, the various embodiments of the present invention provide an automated, stand-alone, hands-free operation of the entire radiosynthesis cycle on a microfluidic device with unrestricted gas flow through the reactor, starting with target water and yielding purified PET radiotracer within a period of time shorter than conventional chemistry systems. Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is related to a microfluidic chip for radiosynthesis of a radiolabeled compound, comprising a reaction chamber, one or more flow channels connected to the reaction chamber, one or more vents connected to said reaction chamber, and one or more integrated valves to effect flow control in and out of said reaction chamber.

Abstract: A device and a method for an accelerated oxidation test of fuels or petroleum products, as well as a computer program for controlling such a device, and a corresponding computer readable storage medium, which are applicable, in particular, for the simulation of the aging of fuels or petroleum products. A device for an accelerated oxidation test of fuels or petroleum products is proposed, whereby the device comprises of a pressure vessel (1) to hold specimen (2) of fuels or petroleum products, and the pressure vessel (1) contains at least one device to change the temperature. A corresponding method provides that a specimen (2) of fuel or petroleum product is placed in a pressure vessel (1), the specimen is brought to a predefined temperature above 100° C. by at least one device to change the temperature, which is placed in the pressure vessel (1) and/or in the specimen (2), and the absolute pressure value is monitored so as to determine the oxidation.

Abstract: A disposable dispensing cartridge comprises a reservoir adapted to contain a solution to be dispensed; a chamber in fluidic communication with the reservoir through a first unidirectional valve. The chamber comprises an outlet portion with a second unidirectional valve allowing passage of the solution out of the chamber. The disposable cartridge is connectable via a second connecting portion to a pressurizing device. The pressurizing device is adapted to apply a reduced pressure within the chamber; drawing a predetermined volume of solution from the reservoir, through the first unidirectional valve, into the chamber; and to apply a raised pressure within the chamber, drawing the determined volume of solution out of the chamber, through the second unidirectional valve. The second connecting portion comprises a check valve being arranged to allow gas, but not the solution, to flow in and/or out of the chamber via the second connecting portion. The disposable cartridge is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: A method and kit for assaying a cell sample for the presence of at least a threshold number of cells of a given type are disclosed. The kit includes an assay device having a sample chamber for receiving the cell sample and an elongate collection chamber containing a selected-density and/or viscosity medium and having along its length, a plurality of cell-collection regions, and particles which are capable of specific attachment to cells of the selected cell type, and which are effective, when attached to the cells, to increase the density or magnetic susceptibility of the cells. In operation, particle-bound cells and particles in the cell sample are drawn through the elongate collection chamber under the influence of a gravitational or selected centrifugal or magnetic-field force until the particle-bound cells and particles completely fill successive cell-collection regions in the collection chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is a pressurized fluid sample injector system consisting of a sample needle, multiport valve, sample loop, metering syringe and a pressure assist pump. The speed of sample transport into the sample loop is increased by pressurizing the fluid in the system and metering the sample into the sample loop. The elevated system pressure allows the fluids to be moved faster than the vapor pressure would normally allow in a system at ambient pressure.

Abstract: A fluid-ejection device includes a handheld and/or mountable enclosure, a pneumatic fitting, an electrical connector, and a controller. The pneumatic fitting extends from and/or through the enclosure and is receptive to placement of a tip thereon. The tip contains a supply of fluid, a fluid-ejection mechanism, and an electrical connector for the fluid-ejection mechanism. The electrical connector extends from and/or through the enclosure and is receptive to electrical coupling of the electrical connector of the tip. The controller is situated within the enclosure to cause the tip to eject the fluid via the electrical coupling of the electrical connectors of the tip and the fluid-ejection device.

Abstract: The device concerns among other things a plate heat exchanger having at least one pile of plate elements, each of which plate elements has a central heat transferring part and an edge part (15) surrounding this part, the heat transferring parts of the plate elements delimiting flow spaces between one another for at least one heat exchanging fluid (F1) and every plate element being of a double wall construction and having two heat transferring plates (1, 5; 2, 6; 3, 7; 4, 8) with a space therebetween. At least one layer element (16) is present in the space between the heat transferring plates (1,5; 2,6; 3,7; 4, 8) in at least one of the plate elements, every layer element (16) having at least one electrical connected resistive layer making electrical heating of the layer element (16) possible.